Iris and Isaac are happy. They’re on their first trip together, and still in the twists and turns of new relationship euphoria. Things might be weird at moments, but they’re still learning about each other and with everything coming so easy, there’s no reason not to be optimistic. Except, they’re not in a relationship. At least, Isaac never thought they were.
Oh, Hi! follows the antics that follow this revelation, and Iris’s processing of the sudden end of the relationship she thought they were building. If you’ve seen the trailer, you know where this is going but for the unspoiled, lets just say Iris doesn’t take it well. Despite going into this film completely blind, I have seen Gerald’s Game so I knew where this was going the second I saw the closet. Yikes!
Oh, Hi! is the sophomore film from director Sophie Brooks, known for her debut rom-com The Boy Downstairs. While Oh, Hi! is at its core a romantic comedy, I found it unique and grounded in a way that I found hard to compare to other films in that genre. While the premise is trope-y, the story unfolds in a way that feels completely fresh and the actions of the characters, while bordering on insane, never fully alienate the audience. I was surprised how many times I, as a 30-something who hasn’t dated in a long time, related so clearly to Iris’s character and felt very seen by her emotional turmoil and outbursts.
Though this movie is funny (and it’s very funny), it never feels cruel or like it’s punching down at its characters. Isaac’s past is given weight without taking away blame from the casual cruelty of his behavior, and we’re laughing with Iris as she tries stupider and more insane things to “get Isaac to like her.” This movie is self-aware and balanced in a way that makes watching it feel goofy and cringe without ever straying too far into either.
The cast is firing on all cylinders here, but especially with the two leads Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman. Before the timeline and details of their relationship were even disclosed in the dialogue, I pegged them in the sweet and sexy awkwardness of a couple’s first few weeks together. They really nail the chemistry, and their dialogue is playful in a way that feels very natural. It’s exactly like hanging out with your friend and their new partner in a good way.
My main criticism is that the story meanders a bit. This is a solid movie that could have been an amazing movie if the fat was trimmed, and when the action isn’t happening the pacing just sags. These extra scenes do give the movie a lot of character, but the whole film feels a little slow at moments in a way that takes away from the overall quality.
Even still, it’s a movie I’ve liked more the longer I’ve gotten to process it. I’m not typically a rom-com fan, but this movie is hilarious and has a lot of heart. It leaves you in a feel-good place that feels earned, and feeling a little bit better about life and the people in it.
